Weather forecasters have warned heavy rain and flash flooding could hit the Illawarra this evening as severe weather from an ex-tropical cyclone in Queensland moves south.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued storm and wind warnings for the Hunter, Sydney metropolitan and Illawarra areas today, predicting rainfall of up to 300 millimetres in isolated areas, damaging winds and potential flash flooding throughout much of eastern NSW.

The warning prompted State Emergency Service (SES) Illawarra region controller Greg Murphy to cut short his trip to Taree to assist northern NSW crews and return home. He said Illawarra crews were on standby.

“At this stage the bureau’s best prediction is that the severe weather may arrive in the Illawarra late [today],” he said.

“We’ve been advised of rainfall up to 300 millimetres in isolated areas and up to 150 millimetres across large parts of the Illawarra, as well as the possibility of flash flooding and storm damage due to strong winds.

“We also know the North Coast is experiencing high seas with significant swell, which could also extend down the coast to the Illawarra.”

Yesterday I ventured up to Sydney. I decided that pinhole was the way to go for these shots from the train between Scarborough and Stanwell Park.

All photos are originals by Neil Whitfield. The only people ever identified in my photos have given permission. If it ever happens that someone does not want their image here, for whatever reason, contact me and it will promptly be edited out or removed.